Adds the silly "TOP 100 %" to a view with an order clause; while this seems to work when you run the query while editing it, the order may not...

Yes, you can.  But if it needs to grow again due to database updates or maintenance procedures, you will take a performance hit.

select convert(char(8), getdate(), 112)

You shouldn't see any real hit on your server during the change.

Have you checked the SQL Server Logs for the day that the full backup, differential backup, and transaction log backups you are attempting to restore were taken?  If no backup...

Just curious, but does the index on the initials need to be unique?  If so, how will the individuals in question know what their unique initials are when you finish...

I would do it before users get on the system.  After you switch to full recovery mode, do a full backup and then start your transaction log process to start...

Also, convert your data from int to float before using and that you aren't passing the log10 function a 0 (zero) value.

LOG in Excel defaults to base 10, where as LOG in SQL is the Natural Logarithm  (same as ln in Excel) of a number.  In SQL you need to use LOG10.

hth

Here is my suggestion without looking at the data, import the data into a temporary table as text (character data), then convert it as you move it to your database. ...

Yes

I agree with Aaron if you are going to keep your database in 3NF.  Again, however, I'd also still say "It depends".  Yes you can keep the database in 3NF,...

Or try this:

select

    MAIN_CODE,

    SUB_CODE,

    NAME,

    DAYS = (select

                INTVALUE

            from

                PINF p2

                right outer join PINF p3

                    on (p2.MAIN_CODE =* p3.MAIN_CODE

                        and p2.SUB_CODE = p3.SUB_CODE

                        and p2.NAME = 'DAYS'))

from

   ...

How about showing us the code you wrote in 2005?

Also, you can query msdb.dbo.backupset to see what backups were completed if you don't have access to the logs for the time in question.